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Isabelle Surmont had early aspirations of working as a model, thanks to her genetically inherited talents of looking beautiful. While on a shopping trip in Hamburg at the age of thirteen, she was discovered by a fashion agency owner who immediately encouraged her to get into professional modeling. Meanwhile, her stunning proportions and charming appearance have landed her notable ads for Levi's, as well as numerous editorials in magazines ranging from Qvest to Elle. We expect great things from this flawless 5'10" German newcomer, and we are sure she's well on her way to grace the most important covers and catwalks in the industry.
How did you get started in the modeling business?
Isabelle:
When I was 13 I went into the city to go shopping with my mum and while we
were looking around I noticed a tall man but he passed us. A few seconds later this tall man stood in front of me and said his name is Jan-Eric and the owner of Place Models. He asked me to become a model. A few days later my mother and me went to the agency, Yannis, the other owner took a few pictures of me and some days later I got a call and told me that from now on I am a Place-Model.
Did you ever think you'd be doing this?
Isabelle:
Actually yes. When my mother and my father moved to Hamburg they met a
woman who was a photographer and they became friends. When I grow a little the photographer took a few pictures of me, just for fun and she noticed that I’m very quiet and patient. So she made the proposal to send me to an agency for children and my parents did. I was modelling then until I became 11, then I had to stop because I was too tall for children’s fashion but too young for a real model agency. But these years I had so much fun doing this job that I always knew to go on with modelling later.
What do you like most about modeling? What do you like least?
Isabelle:
The thing I like most about this job is that it encourages your independence and your personality, especially because I started when I was pretty young. And now I like that I can use these new independence to do something that makes me feel good and to meet so many individual people and see different places. That is so exciting because I see many things other people will never see and the job will never make me feel bored. And I dislike that you never know what and when something comes next. So you have to be very spontaneously.
Have you encountered any surprises along the way?
Isabelle:
Oh yes! It is nothing that is not directly related to my job. But it is
the fact that so many people who are not in this business have such a wrong image of models. For example I met people who thought that all models are rich and always beautiful.
And of course, also some models take drugs just like some doctors, some postmen, some bankers… drugs were always everywhere , not just models take drugs . But that is definitely not every model’s life!
What has been your most awkward moment (of your modelling career)?
Isabelle:
Honestly? I really don’t know! And not because there were so many of these moments – there is no awkward moment I can remember.
Have you developed any new interests since you started modelling?
Isabelle:
Of course I was not so into fashion when I was 13. But now I love fashion and photographs and all these things.
What are your favourite things to do in your free time?
Isabelle:
At first I love to sleep until 12 o’clock!!! And of course I like to spend time with my family, my boyfriend, my dog and my friends. And my favourite activities are shopping, sometimes to go out, taking pictures and going to concerts.
Out of all the places your career has taken you, where was the most memorable?
Isabelle:
I will never forget when I did the Life Ball Show. I did this show two times and both are unforgettable. Life Ball is a very very big event in Vienna against HIV and all guests are like crazy. Lots of drag queens, porn stars and other prominent from Hollywood or musicians. Everyone is cased and there are a lot of presentations like the show I did and of course there is a big after show party. By the way – some people are so crazy that they are naked, of course body painted or with another freaky costume. I was so excited of all these impressions and it was just great!
Do you have a mentor? Who? What is it about them that affects you? Why?
Isabelle:
There is no special mentor I have. But I think my family, my friends and of course my agents are my mentors. Sometimes I have to confess that they know things better than I do and they help me wherever they can.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? What could be your next career?
Isabelle:
I see myself living in a nice and cosy flat in the center of Hamburg or London with my boyfriend and maybe work as a photographer, if I don't prefer a job more regular after beeing a model for a while.
What are your best beauty secrets? How do you stay in shape?
Isabelle:
The most important things are that I don’t drink any alcohol and I don’t smoke. Then I often go jogging, drink much water and I don’t eat any carbohydrates in the evening, but I eat a little bit chocolate every day, otherwise I feel bad! So if you feel good you always look good!
What would you want people to know about you?
Isabelle:
That I never drank alcohol in my whole life. And that I’m not looking forward to change that.
Any advice for new models? What advice would you give other models starting out?
Isabelle:
Don’t take everything too serious!
Favourite all-time model:
Isabelle:
Twiggy!
Favourite fashion designer:
Isabelle:
Acne, because they are pure and simplistic but still cool and special.
Favourite kind of food:
Isabelle:
Fruits, sweets and ice-cream!
Favourite kind of music:
Isabelle:
Alternative, rock, electro and chill-out.
What are your favourite 3 songs at the moment?:
Isabelle:
Alltime favourite songs are
Hey – Pixies
Heart Rate Rapid – Metronomy
Bouquet – Assyrian the wolf
Favourite quote:
Isabelle:
I don't have one.
I'd like to meet:
Isabelle:
There is no special person I’d like to meet, because you never know how persons really are, if you know them only from TV.
If I were trapped on an island I'd take:
Isabelle:
My i-pod, a cosy bed and something very nice to eat.
Thank you Isabelle for this great interview!
Special thanks to Yannis from Place Models.
note: all answers are original and unaltered
view Isabelle's profile
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